creodont

[ kree-uh-dont ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of a diverse group of extinct predatory mammals, from the Paleocene to Pleistocene epochs, that constituted the suborder Creodonta, of the order Carnivora, developing along evolutionary lines somewhat parallel to those of the ancestors of modern carnivores and typically having a stocky, doglike body and a long, low skull.

creodont

/ ˈkriːəˌdɒnt /

any of a group of extinct Tertiary mammals some of which are thought to have been the ancestors of modern carnivores: order Carnivora

creodont

/ krē′ə-dŏnt′ /

Any of various extinct carnivorous mammals of the order Creodonta of the Paleocene to the Pliocene Epochs. Creodonts had long, low skulls with crests to which chewing muscles were attached. They were the dominant carnivorous mammals for millions of years, and were once believed to be ancestral to modern carnivores.

< New Latin Creodonta (1875) name of the group, equivalent to cre- (< Greek kréas flesh) + -odont- -odont + -a neuter plural ending

C19: from New Latin Creodonta, from Greek kreas flesh + odōn tooth

The group is believed to be derived from a creodont allied to the Eocene Palaeonictis (see Creodonta).

The well-known plantigrade tread of bears is a primitive characteristic which has survived from their creodont ancestry.

The skull is described as being Creodont-like, but the dentition is that of the microdont modern Dogs.

There are, however, other points of likeness which seem rather to point to a Creodont origin.

It is a much-specialised Creodont, and therefore exhibits well the distinctive characters of the group.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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